Mark Antony, a Man and His Reputation

As far back as the Old Testament, the topic of reputation has been, and continues to be, weaved into story lines. The protagonist in a story is quickly identified through the author’s characterization as being a “good guy” or a “bad guy.” The technique used by the writer can be either direct, using the narrator, another character, or the main character themselves, or it can be deduced by the audience through observing the characters actions, manner of speech, interaction with others, and appearance. Once established, the storyline observes the ability of the protagonist to maintain, destroy, or enhance their reputation. The great play writer William Shakespeare demonstrates the difficulties the characters in his plays experience in maintaining a good reputation, greatly due to the outside influences of others. An examination of the impact influence, through the wording of William Shakespeare and from a historical perspective, can have on ones repute, as shown through Shakespearean character Mark Antony from Antony and Cleopatra, will illustrate that a good reputation, while difficult to obtain, is even harder to maintain when left on its own accord.

To quote the Greek Philosopher Socrates, “regard your good name as the richest jewel you can possibly be possessed of -- for credit is like fire; when once you have kindled it you may easily preserve it, but if you once extinguish it, you will find it an arduous task to rekindle it again. The way to a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.” In his telling the tale of Mark Antony through the play Antony and Cleopatra, William Shakespeare portrays Antony as a man who has shirked the responsibilities of his position in the Triumvirate, and his honor...

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... were disgusted by this behavior before he ever saw the Egyptian Queen’s arrival by barge. The omission of this information from Antony and Cleopatra alters not only the reputation of Antony, but also ones interpretation of Cleopatra.

In Cleopatra Antony met his match, and she found hers as well. While there is little doubt these two were passionate about each other, it is their reputations that are impacted by the Shakespearean version. Ultimately Antony abandoned the military tactician within, even upon his death at his own hand he lacked the skill he had upon the battlefield. While Eros was able to take his own life with an accurate self-inflicted wound, Antony missed his mark and as a result died a slow, painful death. His great military prowess, the flame of his mark, had been extinguished. His day of death, far worse than that of his day of birth.